I'm going off to college soon, but that is more of a minor point than a major one for this exercise. Wanting a computer in my room is a more major point, and is the biggest factor in making me want a laptop in the first place. Whether I buy a new computer or upgrade one, I'm going to sell at least one of the others.

I was wondering whether I should spend a grand or so rebuilding one of my "crap" computers to make it mid-range from today's perspective, replacing the motherboard in my current good one to see if that fixes it or just buy a good laptop to replace the crappy one that is currently in my room. The major sticking point is that I only have two monitors and a large lack of space, so if I was to get a desktop in my room it would have to run through my TV like the crappy one is now.

What would be the best suggestion? If I go the laptop route, I want a desktop replacement type, and already have a couple lined up to look at.

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

I would go for the laptop cause you might not get the much time to game or what ever you are thinking of upgrading you computer for. One of my friends went off to college last year and he hardly has time to do anything. So i would just go for the laptop.

A MacBook Pro or a used Alienware (there is one on eBay right now going for crazy cheap that would destroy all of the computers I have). I was also looking at a new Area 51 m15x, but I dunno if one is worth 2500 for the one I had built.

Edited at Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:45:27 AM

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

I'm in the same situation as you, Tornado. I've gone over all my options and my plan of action is to buy an expensive, well spec'd laptop and use some extra cash to either rebuild my old PC or build an entirely new one for under $1500. I'd prefer to have a laptop at college, rather than a desktop too just because I don't want to go back and forth with unnecessary equipment.

Both of you are correct in seeking to use a laptop instead of a desktop at college. It is much easier to take it with you to places rather than using a desktop. The Macbooks look nice, but don't get one too heavy.

2014 is going to be a good year. More content, more streamlining. Be a part of history!

I'm not sure if there is enough oomph in the second one, though it would be a far better deal than the new Alienware I was looking at (only gives up a bit of performance).

Edited at Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:41:26 AM

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

The budget is only that high to allow the medium spec Macbook Pro into it. I I don't end up getting a Macbook Pro, the budget will top out at $1500. This will be a desktop replacement in that if I get it I'm selling off one of the other computers (and possibly two of them), so I want it to have everything most desktops have. Besides, I do not want a monitor. If I was able to get a monitor, I wouldn't be buying a laptop. I'm limited by space, not by price. I'll post a picture of what I mean.

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

A quick release of the factory OS and a beautiful, functional copy of XP pro and I'll be set. I might swap out the HDD and upgrade to something a little larger and faster. The 5400 rpm just looks ugly to me. Does anyone think a disk running at 7200 rpm will make a significant difference?

Looks pretty good. I wouldn't worry about the drive speed too much in a laptop. You're going to be adding more heat and less battery life if you use a 7200RPM drive.

Plus, I like how it says "Limit 5 per customer." I'm thinking of buying 6... damn.

I was at a press event in NYC on Wed and saw some nice stuff.

Tornado: I saw an Alienware laptop that you would probably love to get. It had dual mobile 8800s in SLI and it was a large beast. The screen was 17" and the laptop weight like 14 or so lbs. Maybe more. I forgot after I lifted it.

Also, I saw a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop that had a carbon fiber case. The guy says he could stand on the laptop (screen closed, unit running) and not do any damage. I gave him the laptop and said do it. He was shocked I asked. I've got a picture, I'll upload it tomorrow. The laptop was fine. It was nice and light. The X300 was amazing as well. Better than the Macbook Air (built-in optical drive).

2014 is going to be a good year. More content, more streamlining. Be a part of history!

Said By Aron Schatz

Tornado: I saw an Alienware laptop that you would probably love to get. It had dual mobile 8800s in SLI and it was a large beast. The screen was 17" and the laptop weight like 14 or so lbs. Maybe more. I forgot after I lifted it.

I think a high 7-series (or a performance equivalent) would be about as much as I would need, power wise. I want smoldering power, but I do want to be realistic about it. The only reason I am looking at Alienware is that they are a brand who are consistently good.

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

Idea: Say the hell with it, buy a PS3, Linux the badboy and get a high def monitor for about an $700-800 total. Opinions?

Edited at Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:57:49 PM

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

The PS3 Linux doesn't allow access to the video hardware layer (IE: it sucks to play games that work on Linux). Plus, I wouldn't trust a PS3 for my only computer... plus the Cell isn't that great of a general purpose CPU compared to the x86 ISA (due to lack of exposure).

2014 is going to be a good year. More content, more streamlining. Be a part of history!

Said By Aron Schatz

If I was to get a PS3 I would nix the idea of dumping my other computers. And it would still be fine for what I would need the computer in my room for (Internet). Plus I get a PS3.

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

So, to hell with the PS3. I'm back looking at laptops again. I'm looking to see what one in my power range (7800 and up, Core 2 Duo 1.83 Ghz) would go for, and then I will make my decision. I'm really liking the prospect of a nice used Dell XPS M1710. Really flashy, and with the power to back it up.

Edited at Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:03:47 PM

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!

Since it's one of the very few laptops on the market designed with the sensibilities (user serviceability and upgradeability) that the old XPS ones had.

And I hate what ASUS did to the RoG G series with the G750. Anyway, godspeed, Precision M90. You served me well.

Edited at Tue Oct 1, 2013 11:11:46 PM

Michael: Jodie, how's my schedule look for today?Jodie: You've got a conference and dinner party at the Japanese Embassy regarding wildlife protection.Michael: Oh, yeah...sorry, but I'll have to cancel that. I'm heading out to save America!